Fundraising

Path to Learning

Two new stones on the Path to Learning.
John & Sally have visited Urukundo Village. Sally, a nurse, came in 2006 with a small team and returned in 2008 with John.
John is construction wise and taught mama about laying a plumb line and helped build the foundation for the boys' house.
The stone was a gift from their son Mike and his family.
Pittsburgh, Pa has its own stone. Thanks to a gift giver name unknown. 

Greetings from Urukundo Village and Learning Center - June 2013

It was such a blessing for me to be able to attend Solange's graduation from Rowe High  School in McAllen Texas. Solange has been amazing. She was able to complete 3 years of credits for High School in one year. This was done through hard work, dedication and a strong desire to succeed.
CONGRATULATIONS SOLANGE!
During my time in Pittsburgh I met with the art students of Propel High school. They have partnered with our kids and other high schools in PA. The project is HEARTS FOR RWANDA.
The project raised over $1200 to help with education in Urukundo Learning Center.
These are just a few of the kids who took part in the project.
Inside Propel High School
Students partner with students at Urukundo Learning Center.  I was honored to see Rwanda's Flag displayed  on the school wall.
The project consisted of the art students accepted art mats from the children of Urukundo added their ideas, mounted the art and added pictures of the Rwanda student and the Propel student. These were for sale. 
T-shirts were designed, printed and sold.  
HEARTS FOR RWANDA is a project founded and supported by SPIRIT WORKS YOGA CENTER in Pittsburgh.

May Greetings

Hello Friends and Family from the USA and Urukundo.
The month of May in the USA has been very cold but the spring flowers have been spectacular. I am freezing. I'm delighted to report I have been given a clean bill of health and am ready to return home to Urukundo and get back to work. The report from Urukundo is very positive. Our staff is doing a excellent job while I am away. This comment from Helen Kweskin and her team of students :

"Please know how truly grateful I feel for all the love, support, and logistical thoughtfulness that allowed us to have such a rich experience at such a very special place. "

Thank you Helen! 

Next month will be back to business as usual since I'll be returning June 12 to my kids. In the meantime, thank you to Carol Falke and Sarah Ketchley for their participation in getting this newsletter to you.

The month of May we will share with you the projects involved in Education at Urukundo Learning Center.

Funding for constructing the second grade class rooms is still the priority project for the present. Looking for partners in education to make it a success. Building each set of classrooms, one at a time, is very difficult and more expensive.  If it were possible to contract for the whole project it would be more economical.  Until that financial support comes we will continue one year at a time.  I know with God all things are possible.

April Greetings from Rwanda and the US

Hello from both sides of the world.

The April and May newsletters will be unique. I bring you greetings from Sarah our media person in Seattle, Mama in Pennsylvania, the kids at Urukundo Village and Carol Falke in both Urukindo & the US.
I departed Rwanda and Urukundo on April 1. There were mixed feelings as I hugged and kissed and waved bye to all the kids.
The teens had just come home on holiday from secondary school and I had little time to spend with them. We really look forward to holidays.  This one was only for 3 weeks. Knowing Carol Falke from State College would be there for 12 days after I left  made it a little easier for me. 
David, our 4 year old, told me before I left he would watch my bed and not let anyone sleep in it. He was so sincere. At the last minute Johnny picked me a flower from our garden and gave it to me to take with me. Johnny brings me a flower from the yard every day when I am home. 
I left Urukundo Village on a threefold journey. Some of you know I had a vein problem a year and a half ago and it was time to have it checked. The report is excellent. The problem is no more.
The second reason was a joy. My very first grandson Christian was being married to Sara, a wonderful young woman, and I wanted so much to be there.  The weather was perfect and the bride and groom were beautiful. Yep, as Gram of the groom I can say he was beautiful. The photographer even made me look special. Georgia is a beautiful state.
Mama and brother of the groom as escort.
Sara and Christian.
Mother Patricia and Dad Dale.  I am a very happy Grandmother.
The third part of my journey is to find funding to build more classrooms for the Urukundo Learning Center.
I am hoping many of you will take part in this project to provide Education for children who want and deserve an opportunity to learn and succeed in life. Providing that opportunity is the goal of  Urukundo Foundation and its friends and families.

Sewing Center Update

We were thrilled to see the sewing center open and beginning operation. Five treadle sewing machines were purchased by donors in State College and at St. Paul's United Methodist Church. They were set up and being used when we arrived.

Aprons for the kitchen staff, uniforms for the farmers, dresses for the primary school dedication, skirts and shoulder bags. It was fully operational but needed the many supplies we were bringing. Two huge suitcases full.

Therese the sewing instructor and I are meeting for the first time. She was smiling as she received the many gifts of sewing supplies.

Women and men will come daily to sew as well as learn to sew. Orders are coming in, so many hands are needed.

Deogratios Mugisha

Urukundo was blessed, thanks to the Ingoboka Fund, to be able to give the help needed when a little four year old boy, Deogratios Mugisha, accidentally fell into boiling water and was scalded over the left side of his  body. Remember cooking is done in the home of our families with charcoal pots sitting on the floor. The little boy is a student at our preschool and so when this happened his parents brought him to us.

The guards knocked on the window at our house saying there was a problem and asked for help. The parents were at the gate with their child. The guard said the boy was burned.  How, he was not sure. We went directly to the clinic where I thought I had medicine used for burns. There was very little. The parents brought the boy in. He was in shock and  just looked at me with scared eyes.  Cold water would have been best treatment at the point when the scalding took place, but water is not available. After getting the hot clothes off and calming him down, his mother dressed him again covering all his skin to bring him to us. "Not the best idea."  No burns were visible until he was undressed. Water blisters were extensive and many were broken exposing raw scalded pink skin. His clothes kept him warm but did damage to his little body.
Much of the skin was pulled away because of the clothes.

I had medicated wrap used by fireman to protect the burn area until transport to a hospital takes place. Removing the clothes carefully we gently placed the protective medicated wrap over the burned area,  called our driver to come and transport the boy and his parents to the hospital. We are also blessed to have a vehicle always available.  
We did what we could but now I know we need burn medicine for early first aid treatment. 
We are able to give the parents financial help to have him treated and admitted at the local hospital. Financially we will continue caring for this little one while he is in the hospital. I am so grateful to have the Ingaboka Fund available. IT IS NOW DEPLETED. More and more we are blessed because others care and lend a helping hand.
Please pray for the child. Secondary infections are the real danger in this kind of burn. Thanks to all who gave a gift for emergency treatment.